Emphasize
To give special importance or prominence to something; to stress or highlight a point, idea, or detail.
verbEmphasize
To give special importance or prominence to something; to stress or highlight a point, idea, or detail.
verbImagine This
Imagine giving a presentation where the speaker points to a slide and, with a dramatic voice, says 'this is the key point' while the words on the slide glow in bold. The highlighted line stands out from the rest, making it unforgettable.
Sounds Like
ˈɛm.fə.saɪz
Looks Like
The word can be parsed as 'em-' + 'phasize'; the prefix hints at causing something to be, and the root suggests showing or highlighting.
Remember This
The related noun 'emphasis' shares the same root, and 'emphasize' is a common verb in both writing and speech to guide attention.
Other Forms
Connect With
highlight, stress, underscore, accentuate, foreground, spotlight
Note
Use emphasis to draw attention to important ideas, not to every sentence. Also, avoid confusing 'emphasize' with 'empathize' (to share feelings).